Everton manager Roberto Martinez rejected the chance to sign Dimitri Payet last summer before he joined West Ham United so could develop Ross Barkley in the number 10 role.

The Mirror says that the Catalan jetted out to France to watch Payet in person playing for Marseille as he searched for a new playmaker but his interest cooled, enabling the Londoners to swoop in a £10.7million deal.

Payet, who turns 29 later this month, has been a revelation for the Hammers this season, netting nine times in all competitions but the Blues feel their decision has been vindicated because of Barkley's brilliance with their homegrown ace bagging 12 goals to date.

The pair are set to go head to head in Saturday's Premier League clash at Goodison Park where a home win could take Everton to within five points of Slaven Bilic's sixth placed side with a game in hand.

Martinez said: “I always felt that Ross would be our number 10 and he needed that space – definitely.

“Ross has matured this season, no doubt. He has progressed and he needed that time to show what he can become.”